Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. - Drilling expands potential of new zones at Eagle River

TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX: WDO) is pleased to update markets on results of ongoing drilling of two new gold structures at its 100%-owned Eagle River Mine, located 50 kilometres due west of Wawa, Ontario. The new 7 Zone and 300 Zone were unexpectedly encountered while drilling the depth extension of the mine's main producing 811 Zone this summer (see Press Release dated August 19, 2013). The new zones are situated 200 metres and 400 metres north and parallel to the 811 Zone respectively (see Figure 1 at www.wesdome.com - Schematic Crossection).

A second drill has been added to accelerate tracing and expanding the known extent of these zones which remain open in all directions.

To date, the new 7 Zone footprint is large and open. Drilling extends for 150 metres east-west (strikelength) and over a depth range of 400 metres from 750 metres to 1150 metres below surface. Highlights include:

• 11.87 gAu/tonne over 1.51 metres true width
  
  
• 15.65 gAu/tonne over 1.52 metres true width

A complete table of significant intersections to date is provided in Table 1 and a longitudinal section in Figure 2 at www.wesdome.com.

Drilling to date in the new 300 Zone remains tightly clustered due to its proximity to the drilling station. To date, drilling has extended approximately 50 metres horizontally by 100 metres vertically (Figure 3 at www.wesdome.com - Longitudinal Section). The 300 Zone carries impressive occurrences of coarse native gold. Highlights include:

• 12.51 gAu/tonne over 2.70 metres true width
  
  
• 12.60 gAu/tonne over 1.48 metres true width
  
  
• 228.39 gAu/tonne over 1.50 metres true width

A complete list of 300 Zone significant intersections to date is provided in Table 2.

The initial target of the drilling program, the 811 Zone, continues to expand at depth, strong values are concentrated within an area measuring approximately 100 metres horizontally and extending 500 metres vertically below current mining activity (Figure 4 at www.wesdome.com - Longitudinal Section). Highlights include:

• 50.52 gAu/tonne over 1.49 metres true width
  
  
• 10.11 gAu/tonne over 1.52 metres true width

A complete list of 811 Zone significant intersections is provided in Table 3.

George Mannard, VP Exploration, states "We've moved a second drill in to try to delineate the extent of these new zones as expeditiously as possible. We are impressed by the footprint to date of the 7 Zone, the coarse free gold in the 300 Zone and are relieved the 811 Zone continues at depth. Obviously, continued success here could have implications on mine planning, development flexibility and longer term vision. The new zones are very close to existing workings and are expected to have a significant impact on resources."

Gold mineralization at the Eagle River Mine is hosted by east-west striking, steeply north dipping laminated quartz veins. The veins occur as tabular lenses occupying discrete shear zones following the long axis of a quartz diorite stock measuring 2.0 kilometres east-west by 0.5 kilometres north-south.

Since the first gold bar was poured on October 17, 1995, the Eagle River Mine has produced 946,210 ounces of gold from 3,256,029 tonnes milled at an average recovered grade of 9.1 gAu/tonne.

TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE

All assays are performed at the Eagle River Mine assay office on 25 gram aliquots. Duplicates, replicates and blanks are routinely inserted into the sample stream to monitor quality control. Technical content of this press release was compiled by Daniel Lapointe, P.Geo., Chief Geologist at Eagle River. George N. Mannard, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration and "Qualified Person" takes full responsibility for the technical content of this press release as required by National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure".

ABOUT WESDOME

Wesdome is in its 26^th year of continuous mining operations in Canada. It currently has two producing gold mines in Wawa, Ontario and owns the Kiena Complex in Val d'Or, Québec. The Company has 105.8 million shares issued and outstanding and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "WDO".

This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the future financial or operating performance of the Company and its projects. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances, management's estimates or opinions should change, except as required by securities legislation. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

TABLE 1: 7 ZONE SIGNIFICANT DRILLING INTERSECTIONS TO DATE, 2013 DRILLING

* Previously released August 19, 2013 (www.wesdome.com)

** High assays cut to 80 gAu/tonne

TABLE 2: 300 ZONE SIGNIFICANT DRILLING INTERSECTIONS TO DATE, 2013 DRILLING

* Previously released August 19, 2013 (www.wesdome.com)

** High assays cut to 60 gAu/tonne

TABLE 3: 811 ZONE SIGNIFICANT DRILLING INTERSECTIONS TO DATE, 2013 DRILLING

* Previously released August 19, 2013 (www.wesdome.com)

** High assays cut to 140 gAu/tonne

SOURCE Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd.